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Piper Aircraft Takes 112-Aircraft Trainer Order From University of North Dakota

Piper Aircraft, Inc. has taken a 112-aircraft order from the UND Aerospace Foundation, which provides training and aircraft to the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Deliveries begin in the fourth quarter of 2016 and stretch out over eight years.

"This is an important order for the UND," said Bruce Smith, dean of the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota. "We see Piper as an essential partner in producing the next generation of pilots. Its aircraft enables our students to become familiar with the most advanced systems in aviation trainers which will prepare them well to fill the growing demand for high-quality pilots."

The order is designed to replace the institution's current fleet of existing single-engine aircraft with the Archer TX and its multi-engine Seminole fleet with new Seminoles.

"We have designed the Archer TX and Seminole to give students the technical abilities and modern proficiencies they will need in today's aviation workforce," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "For nearly 30 years UND has been ordering Aircraft from Piper. UND's continued commitment to Piper confirms our belief that Piper trainers offer a cost-effective means of both developing and replacing aircraft at training organizations."

As with all Piper Aircraft, both the Archer and Seminoles are equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics, an all-glass cockpit and the perfect mixture of low workload and high technology. Each Piper trainer interior is designed for maximum comfort. Piper's specially created flight school interior, designed to withstand the rigors of flight training, is standard equipment. Ergonomic seating keeps students and instructors relaxed, increasing their ability to focus on flight operations. The seats and sidewalls are hand crafted and fitted with heavy-duty vinyl and wear-resistant leather to maximize durability. They are also equipped with an autopilot.

While neither party is announcing the value of the contract a, standard equipped Piper Seminole starts at $697,000 while the Archer TX starts at $345,000.

About the Archer TX

As a classroom, the Piper Archer provides everything needed to learn to fly safely. The option of factory-installed air conditioning adds to the Archer's appeal as a training aircraft. It is powered by the 180 hp Lycoming 0-360-A4M piston engine and offers 128 ktas / 237 km/h cruise speed.

About the Seminole

The Seminole includes: two 10.4" high resolution XGA (PFD/MFD) displays, an Aspen Standby System (EFD-1000), an Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), a solid state Air Data Computer (ADC), solid state 3-axis Magnetometer, Dual IFR Enroute/Approach and WAAS Certified GPS systems. Also included is an Electronic Engine Indication System (EIS), Dual Nav/Comm (16 watt) radio, a GTX 33ES Transponder with Extended Squitter, Digital Audio Panel, Traffic Information Systems (TIS) and Terrain and Obstacle Mapping. The Seminole, equipped with two 180 hp Lycoming engines, has a maximum takeoff weight of 3,800 pounds, a max speed of 202 kts and ceiling of 15,000 feet.

About the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota is a world-renowned center of aerospace learning, internationally acclaimed for its achievements in collegiate aviation education and flight training, atmospheric research, space studies, earth systems science and computer science applications. With 825 faculty and staff members, and over 1800 students from around the world, and many programs and research projects, UND Aerospace Sciences is setting the pace for aerospace education.

UND Aerospace owns and operates the largest civilian training fleet in the world consisting of 150 aircraft and flight training devices. UND Aerospace logs over 125,000 hours of flight training at their Grand Forks, ND; Meza, AZ and Crookston, MN locations. www.aero.und.edu

About Piper Aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla., offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single- and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series - the M600, M500, M350 and Matrix - offers businesses and individuals elegant performance and value. The Twin Class Seneca V and Seminole balance proven performance, efficiency and simplicity in twin-engine aircraft. The Trainer Class Warrior, Archer TX, Archer DX, Arrow, Seminole and Seneca V aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. All Piper airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.